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The Office casting director Allison Jones revealed that there were quite a few other major actors in the running to play Michael Scott in the hit NBC comedy series.

Jones stopped by Office Ladies, the podcast hosted by sitcom stars Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey, where she gave insight into the casting process behind the show that still maintains a cult following.

“I remember vividly the first meeting we had with the network when [creator Greg Daniels] had a list of names, and they were like, ‘Let’s try Philip Seymour Hoffman,’ and then, ‘Let’s go for Paul Giamatti or whatever,'” Jones said. She then added that she was “so jaded” she didn’t think either actor would be interested in it because “nobody did TV. Comedy was the bottom of the barrel.”

She recalled that The Office was the first time in her career besides Freaks and Geeks...

Chuck Lorre’s path to TV greatness wasn’t all smooth sailing. Before he became the mastermind behind The Big Bang Theory, Lorre faced a hard lesson when he got the boot from a previous gig. But instead of letting it break him, Lorre channeled that setback into crafting one of TV’s most iconic sitcoms.

Chuck Lorre | Image by Angela George, licensed under Cc By-sa 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

His journey from being fired to creating a beloved hit highlights the resilience that’s defined his career—proving that sometimes, a step back sets the stage for a giant leap forward.

Fired, Fought, and Triumphed: Chuck Lorre’s Bumpy Road to Sitcom Stardom The cast of The Big Bang Theory; co-created by Chuck Lorre | Warner Bros. Television

Chuck Lorre, the TV genius behind The Big Bang Theory, didn’t always have a smooth ride to sitcom stardom. In a candid interview with The Hollywood Reporter,...

If you’re looking for the best movies to watch on Netflix, you’ve come to the right place. Below, we’ve put together an expertly curated selection of some of the most exciting, compelling, emotional and funny movies currently streaming right now.

While it can be daunting thumbing through the streamer’s catalog to find out what to watch, we’ve taken the guesswork and mindless scrolling out of it. This post will be frequently updated with new recommendations, keeping you up to date with all the Netflix movies you should be prioritizing in your queue.

So peruse our list of the best movies on Netflix right now below, and happy watching!

Scream (2022) Paramount

The “Scream” franchise got revitalized in 2022 from “Ready or Not” filmmakers Radio Silence, and while this new film doesn’t reach the heights of Wes Craven’s first two entries in the iconic slasher franchise,...

The last five years have been transformative for cinema, between the impact of Covid, the streaming revolution, and the rise of AI technology. Which is exactly why Empire decided to poll an array of top filmmakers in Hollywood – and beyond – on what exactly is going on in the industry, and what it all means for the movies. The result is a major new article – available to read in full in our Mickey 17 issue (order here).

One of the hottest topics is the encroachment of AI, with the industry still figuring out how it could, should – or should not – be used in moviemaking. “It is not creative,” says Gina Prince-Bythewood, director of The Woman King. “It just takes from others’ creativity.” Sofia Coppola – director of Priscilla and Lost In Translation – questions its capabilities beyond creating mere imagery: “It can be helpful, but I think you need a heart and soul to make art.

Anna Kendrick teased Wednesday that “A Simple Favor 2” with co-star Blake Lively “really ups the ante” for fans of the popular comedic thriller from 2018.

“You’re in for a treat because the second [‘A Simple Favor’] really ups the ante,” said of the upcoming release during a recent appearance on SiriusXM’s “The Jess Cagle Show With Julia Cunningham.“

“Bridesmaids” and “Jackpot” filmmaker Paul Feig returns to direct the sequel, as well.

Watch a clip from Kendrick’s interview below:

At the time, Cagle and Cunningham were sharing their love of the first movie while asking Kendrick about her plans to continue directing. The “Pitch Perfect” actress said she wants to find the right project for her get back behind the camera.

“I feel like the challenge right now is to find something that I feel as passionately about [as ‘Woman of the Hour’],” Kendrick explained. “I really, really hit the...

Actress Anna Kendrick has taken on a new role—director—for her latest project, the Netflix crime drama “Woman of the Hour.” The film tells the disturbing true story of serial killer Rodney Alcala, known as “The Dating Game Killer.” Kendrick not only stars as a contestant on “The Dating Game” where Alcala appeared but also makes her directorial debut with this movie.

Kendrick had initially joined the film solely as an actress to play the part of Cheryl Bradshaw. However, after reading the compelling script, she felt so passionate about the story that she decided to pitch herself as the director. At the Los Angeles premiere, Kendrick said her pitch was rather unconventional since she lacks confidence in doing “false confidence.” She just wanted to ensure the film was in the best possible hands, even if that meant letting someone else direct.

With the role secured, Kendrick sought guidance from comedy director Paul Feig,...

Anna Kendrick called Paul Feig for advice on directing 'Woman of the Hour'.The 39-year-old actress has directed the crime thriller - based on the true story of serial killer Rodney Alcala, who appeared on and won an episode of 'The Dating Game' - and Anna turned to 'Bridesmaids' director Feig for help before shooting.She told The Hollywood Reporter: "Funny enough, the first person I called was Paul Feig, and the only reason I say that that’s funny is because this is a movie about a serial killer, and we mostly know him for comedies like 'Bridesmaids'.“I admire him so much as a filmmaker and a collaborator, that I really wanted his perspective, and he had kind of a tough love thing for me. It was a very, ‘No excuses, the buck stops with you,’ kind of talk, so I’m very,...

Anna Kendrick is sharing how she pitched herself to take on the role of director in the new Netflix film Woman of the Hour.

The crime thriller, directed by Kendrick and written by Ian McDonald, is based on the true story of serial killer Rodney Alcala, portrayed by Daniel Zocatto, who appeared and won an episode of The Dating Game. Alcala was eventually dubbed The Dating Game Killer.

Kendrick, initially attached in just an acting capacity, found herself pitching herself to take the director’s chair, but she said she only wanted the role if producers thought it was the best move. “I genuinely felt so strongly about the film that I just wanted to do whatever was best for the movie, and if that meant somebody else, being in the director’s chair, I was fine with that,” Kendrick, who also played The Dating Game contestant Cheryl Bradshaw in the film,...

When Bridesmaids director Paul Feig was an up-and-coming stand-up comic, getting a chance — any chance — to perform at the Improv was a big deal. But some nights were easier to get on stage than others. “I got sabotaged by Robin Williams a couple of times when I finally got to be a performer at The Improv,” he said.

Sabotaged by Robin Williams? What was he doing, throwing spitballs during Feig’s set? Nothing that nefarious, Feig told Jesse Tyler Ferguson on the Dinner’s on Me podcast. As a comedian early in his career, Feig rarely got stage time until later in the evening. “I remember once it was my time to get up, and there was a full audience,” he said. “I was so excited, and they come up like, ‘Oh, Robin just wants to get up and do a quick set first.’”

Uh-oh. “Robin Williams” and “quick set...

Last year, 1984 Publishing celebrated the 40th anniversary of the classic slasher Sleepaway Camp (watch it Here) with the release of the “making of” book Sleepaway Camp: Making the Movie and Reigniting the Campfire, as well as a 4-song soundtrack EP. Now, 1984 Publishing has announced that they’ll be releasing an expanded paperback edition of the Sleepaway Camp book that has over 100 new pages of content and behind-the-scenes photos, all primarily focusing on the cult classic sequels Sleepaway Camp II: Unhappy Campers and Sleepaway Camp III: Teenage Wasteland. They’re also putting out a 5-track Sleepaway Camp II / III soundtrack EP won vinyl and CD. They note that “various vinyl color variants will be available, as well as special editions that include signed cast member photos, lyric sheets, and exclusive Sleepaway Camp III flexi audio postcards.”

Sleepaway Camp: Making the Movie and Reigniting the Campfire author Jeff Hayes provided the following...

1984 Publishing just announced that they're releasing Sleepaway Camp II & III on vinyl and CD this November, along with an expanded edition of Jeff Hayes' Sleepaway Camp book. The behind-the-scenes book will be available in paperback with 100 additional pages, specifically focused on the sequels. We have all the details, including information on all the variant vinyls:

From the Press Release: "On November 19, 2024, 1984 Publishing will release an expanded paperback edition of Sleepaway Camp: Making the Movie and Reigniting the Campfire by Jeff Hayes. The second edition contains over 100 new pages of content and behind-the-scenes photos, all primarily focusing on the cult classic sequels Sleepaway Camp II and III.

A 5-track Sleepaway Camp II / III soundtrack EP will accompany the book’s release on vinyl and CD. Various vinyl color variants will be available, as well as special editions that include signed cast member photos, lyric sheets, and exclusive Sleepaway Camp III flexi audio postcards.

Paul Feig appeared on Jesse Tyler Ferguson’s “Dinner’s on Me” podcast and spoke about the poor reviews from critics for his action-comedy film “Jackpot!,” starring Awkwafina and John Cena.

“Now I can be happy because we’ve been the No. 1 movie worldwide on Amazon for four weeks in a row now, which is fantastic,” director Feig said in the podcast episode, released on Tuesday. “But the critics excoriated us. I mean, took the biggest dump on this movie. All I can figure is like, from the reviews I read, I think they were trying to find a lot of meaning in this premise.”

“Jackpot!,” released on Prime Video in August, currently holds a 31% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes. Set in Los Angeles in 2030, the film follows Katie Kim (Awkwafina), who, after winning the lottery, finds herself the target of a deadly competition where people can kill her until...

Emmy nominee Sydney Sweeney (“Euphoria”) and Emmy winner Amanda Seyfried (“The Dropout”) have signed on to star in Lionsgate’s “The Housemaid,” a film adaptation of author Freida McFadden’s bestselling thriller novel of the same name, Deadline reports.

Sweeney will play Millie, who is described as a struggling woman who takes a job working in the home of wealthy couple Nina (Seyfried) and Andrew. But her relief turns to terror as she realizes Nina and Andrew are hiding dangerous secrets. She is, too, but theirs are worse.

The film will be directed by Paul Feig (“A Simple Favor”) and written by Rebecca Sonnenshine (“The Boys”). Todd Lieberman, Carly Kleinbart Elter, Feig, and Laura Fischer produce.

Freida McFadden is a practicing physician specializing in brain disorders who started writing thriller novels in her spare time and has become one of America’s bestselling authors. She has sold millions of copies...

Paul Feig relishes the audience support for his recent action-comedy film Jackpot!, but he still has trouble understanding the unflattering critical response.

The acclaimed comedy director was Jesse Tyler Ferguson’s guest on the Dinner’s on Me podcast episode that was released Tuesday. During the chat, Feig shared that he loved making the Amazon MGM Studios feature that stars John Cena and Awkwafina, even if critics seemed to have mistaken expectations for what Jackpot! was aiming to accomplish.

“Now I can be happy because we’ve been the No. 1 movie worldwide on Amazon for four weeks in a row now, which is fantastic,” Feig said. “But the critics excoriated us. I mean, took the biggest dump on this movie. All I can figure, from the reviews I read, I think they were trying to find a lot of meaning in this premise.”

The filmmaker continued with a laugh, “Guys,...

After realizing in last week’s episode of “Only Murders in the Building” that Season 4’s killer has been watching the trio, Charles, Oliver and Mabel leave the Arconia and New York City to go lay low at Charles’ sister Doreen’s house in Long Island, who is portrayed by Melissa McCarthy.

Showrunner John Hoffman told TheWrap that working with the “Bridesmaids” actress on the Hulu comedy had been a dream of his for years and was previously upended by the pandemic. (He declined to reveal details about what her role at the time would have been.)

“I just love her so much. I think she’s wildly talented in both funny and dramatic ways. I tried to get her on the show a couple of years ago, and it was deep in the middle of Covid. There were many complications and we both looked at each other and said...

Sydney Sweeney will star alongside Amanda Seyfried in Lionsgate’s adaptation of the bestselling Freida McFadden book “The Housemaid,” the studio announced on Tuesday. Paul Feig, the versatile filmmaker behind “Bridesmaids,” “A Simple Favor” and “Ghostbusters,” will direct the film from a screenplay by Rebecca Sonnenshine (“Archive 81”).

In the thriller, Sweeney will play Millie, a struggling young woman who is relieved to get a fresh start as a housemaid to Nina (Seyfried) and Andrew, an upscale, wealthy couple … but soon learns that the family’s secrets are far more dangerous than her own.

The book has been on the New York Times bestseller list for over a year and marks a fast-follow for Feig, who recently wrapped his “Simple Favor” sequel for Amazon MGM studios.

Hidden Pictures’ Todd Lieberman will produce “The Housemaid.” Carly Kleinbart Elter will oversee the project for Hidden Pictures. Feigco’s Feig and Laura Fischer are also producing.

Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried will star in “The Housemaid,” a film adaptation of the popular novel by Freida McFadden. “Bridesmaids” and “A Simple Favor” filmmaker Paul Feig will direct the psychological thriller for Lionsgate.

In the film, Sweeney will play Millie, a struggling young woman who is relieved to get a fresh start as a housemaid to wealthy couple Nina (Seyfried) and Andrew. Yet, according to the official logline, “Millie soon learns the family’s secrets are far more dangerous than her own.”

“I’m thrilled to have ‘The Housemaid’ join our upcoming slate,” Adam Fogelson, Lionsgate Motion Picture Group chair, said in a statement. “A great filmmaker and a great cast with a great script from a great book is a terrific place to start. My prior work experiences with Paul and Amanda have been nothing short of spectacular, and Sydney is as talented and compelling as can be.

Netflix has bulked up its slate to include many a thriller, slasher, horror and other suspenseful films, both original to the streamer and classic, for October and the spookiest month of the year.

Several options for other moods arrived on the first of the month for viewers to choose from including 21 Jump Street, 22 Jump Street, 8 Mile, The Birds, Bridesmaids, It Chapter Two, Halloween (2018), Psycho, Psycho II, Scarface and more.

Scream arrives later on in the month on Oct. 11. Fans of Yellowjackets will rejoice as Season 1 of the Showtime horror series is now streaming on Netflix as well. Below find a roundup of the best new films streaming on Netflix in October 2024.

Judy – October 1

Renee Zellweger as Judy Garland in ‘Judy’

Those counting down the days for the next Bridget Jones movie starring Renée Zellweger can check out another one of her notable works portraying Judy Garland in...

Netflix is set to launch a diverse collection of shows in October. Viewers can look forward to new seasons of popular reality and drama series as well as several original movies and docuseries.

Kicking off the month is the return of the dating reality show “Love Is Blind” for its seventh season on October 2nd. The show puts singles in “pods” where they can talk but not see each other as they seek a marriage match. Fans will also be excited for the third season of the acclaimed LGBTQ+ teen drama “Heartstopper” on October 3rd. The new season continues following the romance between main characters Charlie and Nick while also tackling mental health.

Sports fans have “Starting 5” to look forward to, a new docuseries about this NBA season premiering October 9th. Cameras follow stars like Jimmy Butler, LeBron James, and Jayson Tatum as they navigate the challenges of professional basketball.

The return of a reality TV monster that’s sure to dominate social media conversation; Charlie and Nick’s blossoming romance; a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the NBA courtesy of LeBron James and Anthony Edwards; the latest gem from an action auteur; Tyler Perry’s first Netflix television drama and another helping espionage and drama from Keri Russell are some of the highlights among the new films and series hitting Netflix in October.

Coming in hot on Oct. 2 is the new season of Netflix’s reality dating show Love Is Blind. The seventh go around for the main franchise — the brand has now expanded into several country-specific versions — will see a fresh batch of singles heading into the pods, hoping to find love and marry their match, all within a worryingly compressed timeline. The show, which is still billed as a “social experiment,” has experienced some bad PR in recent seasons,...

The 2016 version of Ghostbusters remains a weird anomaly in 21st-century comedy. Despite its meh reputation, the movie is Certified Fresh by Rotten Tomatoes. “A Ghostbuster team worth calling,” wrote critic Leonard Maltin. “This one’s a comedic win.” But no one told moviegoers, who pummeled the film with a fury that made little sense then or now.

Leslie Jones revealed that her participation in the movie even earned her death threats. “I can’t believe anyone would do this shit to someone, anyone, for working,” she wrote in her memoir. “This is awful. I am in a movie. Death threats for something as small as that?”

Ghostbusters director Paul Feig believes he knows who was responsible for all the vitriol. “The political climate of the time was really weird, with Hillary Clinton running for office in 2016,” he told The Guardian. “There were a lot of dudes looking for a fight.

Nothing brings people together like laughter. And over the years, comedy films have continued to lift our spirits and tickle our funny bones. Whether it be slapstick hilarity or clever, dialogue-driven humor, the best comedy movies always deliver something for everyone.

Jim Carrey as Stanley Ipkiss in the 1994 movie The Mask | Katja Motion Picture Corporation

The laugh-out-loud physical gags, witty exchanges, and absurd plotlines are all a part of these films that have stood the test of time as favorites in the genre. If you’re in the mood for a good laugh, you must check out these comedy classics that will have you rolling on the floor. Each one brings its own unique brand of humor, making them timeless choices for any comedy enthusiast.

1. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)

Monty Python’s absurdist take on the quest for the Holy Grail is filled with clever dialogue, ridiculous situations,...

With his new film Jackpot! streaming now, the Bridesmaids director answers your questions on why he loves Jason Statham, how to break into the industry and why ‘political correctness’ hasn’t killed comedy

You have done more than almost any man alive to promote female‑led comedy. What has made this so close to your heart? Oroklini

I love funny women. I was an only child. I was close to my mom, who was very funny. I lived next door to a family of eight kids, six of whom were girls. Most of my friends were either girls or super-nerdy guys. When I got to Hollywood, I started hanging out with these funny women that I knew from when I was a standup comedian. When I went to see their movies, they just played the mean girlfriend. I thought: I don’t like this balance. I relate more to stories...

The Netflix October 2024 originals, movies, and TV series have been revealed and can be viewed below. The streaming service has also announced the list of movies and TV series leaving next month.

The Netflix October 2024 schedule features such titles as The Bad Guys: Haunted Heist, Car Masters: Rust to Riches Season 6, The Diplomat Season 2, Don’t Move, Heartstopper Season 3, Hellbound Season 2, It’s What’s Inside, and The Lincoln Lawyer Season 3.

The Diplomat Season 2

Also coming are Lonely Planet, Love Is Blind Season 7, Outer Banks Season 4, Simone Biles Rising Part 2, Starting 5, Tyler Perry’s Beauty in Black, Unsolved Mysteries Volume 5, and Woman of the Hour.

The October schedule includes comedy specials Ali Wong: Single Lady, Hasan Minhaj: Off With His Head, Rachel Bloom: Death, Let Me Do My Special, Tim Dillon: This Is Your Country, and Tom Papa: Home Free as well.

Netflix October 2024 Schedule

October Tba...

The cast for the upcoming season 7 of Netflix’s Black Mirror has been announced and it is one star-studded, beautiful-looking bunch! As if we needed another reason to tune in to Black Mirror season 7, we now have several.

When it comes to budget planning, Netflix is not known to be stingy. The streaming giant is known to spare no expense. They pull up all the stops ensuring audiences get a clever story with brilliant talent to tell it. And with Black Mirror being one of the platform’s most popular series, we weren’t expecting any less! So, who has been announced to star in Black Mirror season 7 and what else do we know so far about the season? We’ve got your back! And be sure to keep this page bookmarked as we’ll be adding more details as we learn them.

On Thursday, Sept. 19, Netflix revealed who will...

Netflix have added a whole host of names to the upcoming season 7 of ‘Black Mirror’, including Awkwafina, Peter Capaldi and Emma Corrin.

Also joining the cast are Milanka Brooks (Mum And I Don’t Talk Anymore), Patsy Ferran (Firebrand), Paul Giamatti (The Holdovers), Lewis Gribben (Blade Runner 2099), Osy Ikhile (Citadel), Rashida Jones (Sunny), Siena Kelly (Domino Day), Billy Magnussen (Road House), Rosy McEwen (Blue Jean), Cristin Milioti (The Penguin), Chris O’Dowd (Bridesmaids), Issa Rae (Barbie), Paul G. Raymond (Horrible Histories), Tracee Ellis Ross (Black-ish), Jimmi Simpson (Westworld) and Harriet Walter (Succession).

Also in news – New images drop for ‘Paddington in Peru’ alongside Paddington Visits announcment

Additional information about specific episodes and characters is under wraps.

Charlie Brooker’s dark, satirical anthology series will return in 2025 with six brand new episodes, including a sequel to the sci-fi adventure USS Callister

The series is currently filming and will be returning...

Big news for fans of HBO‘s most underrated drama!

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Industry has officially been renewed for a fourth season.

The news comes as no surprise, as the British investment banking drama enjoyed explosive ratings growth in recent weeks.

(Nick Strasburg/HBO)

In fact, THR reports that Industry is up a whopping 40 percent over its season two performance and is now averaging 1.6 million viewers cross-platform.

Obviously, its audience is still on the smaller side, but if you’ve been reading our Industry reviews, you know we couldn’t be happier about this renewal!

And if you’ve been sleeping on this show, it’s official time to wake up. There’s no better way to fill the Succession-shaped hole in your heart!

Black Mirror Season 7 Cast Revealed

Speaking of returning British favorites, it’s almost time to delve back into the dark side of modern technology...

Few shows in our modern era of television have been as consistently daring and thought-provoking as Black Mirror, the science fiction anthology series from Charlie Brooker. Over the course of six seasons, Black Mirror has delivered a ton of memorable standalone episodes of television, carrying on the tradition of other mind-bending series like The Twilight Zone and The Outer Limits. The show's sixth season premiered in 2023 and was no exception. Now, we've finally got our first bit of information about the follow-up, which is slated to hit Netflix in 2025.

The streamer has just unveiled the lead cast list for Black Mirror season 7 as part of its Geeked Week celebration, and it is stacked. Here are all 19 of the actors announced today, in alphabetical order:

Black Mirror season 7 lead cast revealed!Awkwafina (Jackpot)Milanka Brooks (Mum And I Don't Talk Anymore)Peter Capaldi (Criminal Record)Emma Corrin (Deadpool and Wolverine)Patsy Ferran...

The cast of ‘Black Mirror’ season 7 (Photo Courtesy of Netflix)

Netflix released the lengthy lead cast list for the upcoming seventh season of Black Mirror. The critically acclaimed anthology series is currently in production on the six-episode seventh season, with the following taking on roles in the new season:

• Awkwafina (Jackpot)

• Milanka Brooks (Mum And I Don’t Talk Anymore)

• Peter Capaldi (Criminal Record)

• Emma Corrin (Deadpool and Wolverine)

• Patsy Ferran (Firebrand)

• Paul Giamatti (The Holdovers)

• Lewis Gribben (Blade Runner 2099)

• Osy Ikhile (Citadel)

• Rashida Jones (Sunny)

• Siena Kelly (Domino Day)

• Billy Magnussen (Road House)

• Rosy McEwen (Blue Jean)

• Cristin Milioti (The Penguin)

• Chris O’Dowd (Bridesmaids)

• Issa Rae (Barbie)

• Paul G. Raymond (Horrible Histories)

• Tracee Ellis Ross (Black-ish)

• Jimmi Simpson (Westworld)

• Harriet Walter (Succession)

Netflix is keeping all details on the six new episodes secret. However, the streamer did confirm they are targeting a 2025 premiere and the new season will...

The Black Mirror season seven cast is out — and not only is it star-studded, it also includes some former series stars.

Here is the list of the season’s lead actors (in alphabetical order):

Awkwafina (Jackpot), Milanka Brooks (Mum And I Don’t Talk Anymore), Peter Capaldi (Criminal Record), Emma Corrin (Deadpool & Wolverine), Patsy Ferran (Firebrand), Paul Giamatti (The Holdovers), Lewis Gribben (Blade Runner 2099), Osy Ikhile (Citadel), Rashida Jones (Sunny), Siena Kelly (Domino Day), Billy Magnussen (Road House), Rosy McEwen (Blue Jean), Cristin Milioti (The Penguin), Chris O’Dowd (Bridesmaids), Issa Rae (Barbie), Paul G. Raymond (Horrible Histories), Tracee Ellis Ross (Black-ish), Jimmi Simpson (Westworld) and Harriet Walter (Succession).

The cast announcement dropped on Thursday, along with a cryptic asset on X referencing Tuckersoft, an Easter egg for viewers familiar with the company in some of the Netflix anthology’s episodes.

Milioti and Magnussen will be returning for...

A seventh season of the anthology series Black Mirror will be making its way to the Netflix streaming service sometime in 2025 – and today, Netflix revealed the names of 19 Black Mirror season 7 cast members! Here’s the line-up: Awkwafina (Jackpot), Milanka Brooks (Mum and I Don’t Talk Anymore), Peter Capaldi (Doctor Who), Emma Corrin (Deadpool and Wolverine), Patsy Ferran (Firebrand), Paul Giamatti (The Holdovers), Lewis Gribben (Blade Runner 2099), Osy Ikhile (Citadel), Rashida Jones (Sunny), Siena Kelly (Domino Day), Billy Magnussen (Road House), Rosy McEwen (Blue Jean), Cristin Milioti (The Penguin), Chris O’Dowd (Bridesmaids), Issa Rae (Barbie), Paul G. Raymond (Horrible Histories), Tracee Ellis Ross (Black-ish), Jimmi Simpson (Westworld), and Harriet Walter (Succession). Information on the specific episodes they’ll be in and the characters they’ll be playing is being kept under wraps.

Black Mirror season 7 will consist of six episodes, one of which will be a sequel to...

Black Mirror is returning in 2025 – and Netflix just announced 19 actors who will be starring in the upcoming new season!

They also revealed that the series is currently filming, and confirmed a sequel to the sci-fi adventure USS Callister will be included.

Keep reading to find out more…

Here’s the names now confirmed for season 7: Awkwafina (Jackpot), Milanka Brooks (Mum And I Don’t Talk Anymore), Peter Capaldi (Criminal Record), Emma Corrin (Deadpool and Wolverine), Patsy Ferran (Firebrand), Paul Giamatti (The Holdovers), Lewis Gribben (Blade Runner 2099), Osy Ikhile (Citadel), Rashida Jones (Sunny), Siena Kelly (Domino Day), Billy Magnussen (Road House), Rosy McEwen (Blue Jean), Cristin Milioti (The Penguin), Chris O’Dowd (Bridesmaids), Issa Rae (Barbie), Paul G. Raymond (Horrible Histories), Tracee Ellis Ross (Black-ish), Jimmi Simpson (Westworld) and Harriet Walter (Succession).

Out of those names, we’re assuming the following are returning for a USS Callister sequel, as they...

Exclusive: Following his Emmy-nominated work on the Apple series Palm Royale, director Tate Taylor looks to have found his next feature project. Sources tell Deadline that Taylor is set to direct the Sugar23 production The 17th Annual Coral Gables Christmas Caroling Extravaganza at 20th Century.

Annie Mumolo and Stan Chervin rewrote the original script by Connor Hines & Cory Walls. Michael Sugar and Ashley Zalta will produce on behalf of Sugar23.

Plot details are being kept under wraps, but sources say the comedy is in the vein of Pitch Perfect and Bridesmaids. Mumolo is expected to also have a producing role on the new pic, and while not confirmed sources say she may also star as well.

Jillian Kay will executive produce.

The project seems like a perfect transition for Taylor, who just worked with Wiig on the comedy series Palm Royale,...

According to tradition, debutante balls are designed to introduce young ladies to polite society. But in Australian comedy star Rebel Wilson’s rowdy directorial debut, “The Deb,” there isn’t really anything that resembles “polite society.” Wilson’s characters run the gamut from uncouth to in-your-face offensive — none more than the tacky small-town beautician Wilson embodies in a brash, John Waters-esque musical satire, situated where overzealous progressive values meet old-school pageantry at its most patriarchal.

It’s unfortunate that the film’s Toronto Film Festival closing-night premiere is overshadowed by legal disputes between Wilson and three of her producers, since “The Deb” delivers where it counts. The project pokes fun at all parties while rewriting the codes of teenage romance for the 21st century. Right out of the gate, it’s “Hairspray” meets “High School Musical,” as the elaborately choreographed, radio-inappropriate opening number, “Fml,” sets the tone for all that follows.

Like so many of us, Maya Rudolph is having a “Girly Pop Summer.”

The musically minded “Loot” star, “Saturday Night Live” icon and “Big Mouth” standout says her household has been a Taylor Swift stronghold for the past few years, and now Charli Xcx, Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan are also on repeat.

“I remember the week I was hosting ‘SNL,’ and Charli’s ‘360’ came out, and I was bumping it so hard in my room to get me ready for the monologue,” Rudolph says. “It gave me all my strength, and that really propelled me into the summer.”

Call it what you want: the Summer of Maya Rudolph or the Season of Maya Rudolph. But limiting it to just right now doesn’t do justice to a career that has spanned decades, from “Bridesmaids” to Beyoncé. So let’s borrow some parlance from Swift and proclaim this latest...

Nothing could be more LA than a weekend at the fabulous Forum; the celebrities court-side, the drama(s), and all those players doing it for the love of the game. No we’re not talking about the Winning Time Showtime Lakers, we’re talking the 2024 Film Independent Forum. We’re set for another jampacked year, filled with screenings, panels, workshops, one-on-one meetings and networking receptions. And all of that is jammed into two action packed days. Get your passes right here, right now.

The official schedule can be found here—but we can guarantee another great year of wide-ranging and inclusive conversation about the winning strategies for the art and business of independent film. With panels and networking events like Industry Connect, we’ll help you find the right teammates and creative juices needed to sustain a long-term career in the filmmaking arena.

“This year’s Forum will explore our...

Patricia Arquette has really been bitten by the true crime bug. The Severance actor is set to star in Murdaugh Murders, a new limited series from Michael D. Fuller and co-creator Erin Lee Carr. The series will be partially adapted from Liz Farrell and Mandy Matney's popular Murdaugh Murders Podcast,...

A pair of Oscar nominees will lead a limited series about the murder of JonBenét Ramsey.

Melissa McCarthy and Clive Owen will star in the drama, currently titled JonBenét Ramsey, which has scored a series order at Paramount+. The series comes from Yellowstone producers MTV Entertainment Studios and 101 Studios and showrunner Richard Lagravenese (Behind the Candelabra). Harrison Query and Tommy Wallach, who sold the project to MTV Entertainment Studios and 101 Studios, and Lagravenese are writing.

Anne Sewitsky (Presumed Innocent) has also signed on to direct four of the eight episodes in the series.

MTV Entertainment Studios and 101 Studios began developing the project earlier this year. McCarthy and Owen will play JonBenet’s parents, Patsy and John Ramsey, whose daughter, a 6-year-old child beauty pageant contestant, was found dead in their home in December 1996. The case (which is still unsolved) became a media sensation and brought intense scrutiny on the parents,...

Melissa McCarthy and Clive Owen are set to lead a limited series on the JonBenét Ramsey case at Paramount+, Variety has learned.

The show was first reported to be in the works back in March, but it had not landed at Paramount+ at that time. McCarthy and Owen will star as JonBenét’s parents, Patsy and John Bennett Ramsey.

“Melissa McCarthy and Clive Owen are an extraordinary duo to delve into this tragic story that has cast a long, haunting shadow over American culture for nearly three decades,” said Chris McCarthy, Paramount Global Co-CEO and President/CEO of Showtime & MTV Entertainment Studios.

Currently titled “JonBenét Ramsey,” the true crime series will explore the murder of six-year-old Jonbenét, who was found murdered in the basement of her family’s home just hours after she was reported missing. The official description for the show states:

“It follows the Ramsey family, before and...

Exclusive: With the Toronto world premiere of her dark comedy Nightbitch just two days away, Amy Adams has closed a deal to produce and star in Lazy Susans, a new comedy coming together at 20th Century Studios.

Oscar nominees Annie Mumolo (Bridesmaids) and Stan Chervin (Moneyball) have been tapped to script the film about a group of moms who form a rock band. Pic is inspired by the story of The Lazy Susans, a real group out of Boston, who assembled amid the Covid pandemic. Set to produce for Teg+, Vivek J. Tiwary and Jack Leslie got the ball rolling on the project when they optioned the Boston Magazine article “For Those Moms About to Rock.” Adams and Stacy O’Neil will also produce through their Bond Group Entertainment banner. A director is not yet attached.

A six-time Oscar nominee, Adams will next be seen in the aforementioned Nightbitch, Marielle Heller...

On October 11, 1975, George Carlin hosted the first Saturday Night Live. Lorne Michaels introduced the show to the masses, and over 50 years later, the series is going strong. It has launched some of the most notable comedians in history, like Eddie Murphy, Will Ferrell, and Tina Fey.

With Lorne Michael getting older, the biggest question is, who could take over for him? We explore the four comedians who we think could take over the popular series and keep it going for generations to come.

Read More: Saturday Night movie reviews suggest the film lives up to its source material

When looking over the mass amounts of comedians who have come from Saturday Night Live, it wasn’t easy to narrow the list down to a select few. But when you look at who has been there the longest or who has returned even years after breaking away, the list condenses slightly.

At this time last year, picketers were walking outside of studio gates, still two months away from resolving Hollywood’s dual strikes. Of the big festivals, the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), with its focus on star-heavy independent projects, was hardest hit by the labor action, with empty red carpets turning much-hyped premieres into damp squibs. Heading into TIFF this year, Hollywood is contending with less uncertainty (M&a and cost-cutting aside) and release calendars have fewer holes as strike-halted productions have started to roll out again, all of which should be good news for dealmakers headed to TIFF.

“I think you’re going to see things moving relatively quickly, especially given the languid pace that has pervaded film festival markets since Covid,” says Kent Sanderson of Bleecker Street, who is bringing three titles to the fest while looking for new acquisitions. “If anything is going to slow the pace of film sales,...

Here’s the latest episode of The Filmmakers Podcast, part of the podcast roster here on Nerdly. If you haven’t heard the show yet, you can check out previous episodes on the official podcast site, whilst we’ll be featuring each and every new episode as it premieres.

For those unfamiliar with the series, The Filmmakers Podcast is a podcast about how to make films from micro-budget indie films to bigger-budget studio films and everything in between. Our hosts Giles Alderson, Dom Lenoir, Dan Richardson, Andrew Rodger and Cristian James talk about how to get films made, how to actually make them and how to try not to f… it up in their very humble opinion. Guests will come on and chat about their filmmaking experiences from directors, writers, producers and screenwriters, to actors, cinematographers and distributors.

The Filmmaker’s Podcast #412: From Failure to Prime No.1 movie success...

If you're a Netflix subscriber, you know how this works by now. A movie debuts in theaters and either nobody goes to see it and/or the critics tear it to pieces, only for the film to see a resurgence in interest when it becomes available for streaming. It happened just recently with the Mike Myers flop "The Cat in the Hat," and would you believe even "Madame Web" saw success when it finally hit Netflix? You probably would, because as Michael Fassbender flop "The Snowman" proved in 2023, Netflix subscribers will pretty much watch anything.

Netflix is the kingmaker among streamers with 277 million subscribers, but Amazon Prime Video's 230 million subs isn't too shabby. As it happens, we have a good example of how a brand new critical flop can become a hit on Prime Video with "Jackpot!," the 2024 action comedy from "Bridesmaids" and "Spy" director by Paul Feig. This Awkwafina...

After struggling to get several projects up and running, director Judd Apatow is said to have signed up to helm the upcoming project and reverse his recent fortunes.

With films such as Superbad, Pineapple Express and Bridesmaids on his resume as a producer, there’s no debating that Judd Apatow is one of this century’s finest minds that the comedy genre has given us. However, in recent year’s Apatow has struggled to match the same levels of success that he previously enjoyed, either as a producer or as a director, given that he also helmed really successful comedies such as The 40-Year-Old Virgin and Knocked Up.

Apatow’s last film was 2022’s The Bubble for Netflix, which didn’t exactly set the world alight. The last film he produced that was theatrically released was Nicholas Stoller’s Bros, a Universal comedy that failed to make back its $22m...

“The Deb” has finally made its debut. Sort of.

The coming-of-age musical, which has been caught in the middle of a bare-knuckled brawl between director Rebel Wilson and a trio of producers, screened for a select group of industry figures at WME’s offices in Beverly Hills on Monday afternoon.

Wilson was in attendance for the screening, which was described as an “intimate private” event in an invitation. Before the screening, the “Pitch Perfect” star made a quick speech thanking everyone for showing up and urged guests “to laugh and cry and feel anything they wanted.” After the credits rolled, Wilson reemerged and teared up, apparently moved by the crowd’s enthusiastic response, according to an attendee. Among the guests were fellow Aussie directors Phillip Noyce and Sophia Banks as well as reps from Netflix and Universal. The two studios have longstanding deep ties with Wilson via “Isn’t It Romantic...

Melissa McCarthy started her career doing improvisational comedy at The Groundlings Theater in Los Angeles, which is also where she met her husband Ben Falcone. She then went on to a successful run on the TV series “Gilmore Girls” for seven seasons. She followed that up with other TV shows and small movie roles but it would be a return to The Groundlings crew that would launch her into super-stardom. Her former castmates Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo wrote a female gross-out comedy called “Bridesmaids” and cast McCarthy along with other Groundlings veterans Maya Rudolph and Wendi McLendon-Covey. The film would become a surprise hit in the genre which was usually dominated by men and even earn McCarthy an Oscar nomination as Best Supporting Actress.

McCarthy found herself in a unique position in show business as just as “Bridesmaids” made her a movie star she had also just begun a...

Jon Hamm agrees that it’s time him and “The Morning Show” costar Jennifer Aniston made a romantic comedy together.

While speaking to IndieWire about his recent Emmy nominations for the Apple TV+ drama – where he played a conniving tech billionaire and Aniston’s love interest in Season 3 – and FX’s “Fargo,” Hamm was asked about the possibility of starring in a rom-com. Aniston had previously said she’d like the pair to be in one together.

“I have no idea what it would look like,” Hamm said. “I think it would just have to be funny and fun and it would let us do what we both do very well, which is be charming and funny and compelling. I certainly wouldn’t say no to that.”

Hamm attributed the current resurgence of the genre to Glen Powell and Sydney Sweeney, who starred together in 2023’s “Anyone but You.” He...

When casting a love interest for Alex Levy on “The Morning Show,” it was Jennifer Aniston who recommended Jon Hamm for the part of tech billionaire boyfriend Paul Marks.

Fans of the Apple TV+ drama (and/or basic privacy laws) know how well that worked out for the two characters at the end of Season 3, but Hamm may still reprise the role. Speaking with IndieWire, the Emmy-winning “Mad Men” actor — who is nominated twice this year for “The Morning Show” and “Fargo” — confirmed that. He voiced his interest in leading a feature rom-com with Aniston, a fellow nominee.

“I have no idea what it would look like,” Hamm said. “I think it would just have to be funny and fun and it would let us do what we both do very well, which is be charming and funny and compelling. I certainly wouldn’t say no to that.”

Aniston, who...

August kicked off with music superstar Maluma celebrating the opening of his new restaurant Casa Eterna in Medellin, Colombia. At the same time, celebrities like Kendall Jenner and Martha Stewart continued to descend on Paris for the Olympics. In Los Angeles, Zoey Deutch and Jimmy Tatro enjoyed the Cinespia screening of “Bridesmaids” at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery.

Keep checking back all month long for more of the best celeb photos from August 2024.